When one thinks of carnivals, Venice’s bright, picturesque masked festival is likely to pop into mind. First celebrated in the 11th century, it used to start on December 26 and ran for six whole weeks. Now it takes place in February and March.

Carnival however predates Venice. The origin of the term “carnival” stems from the Latin “carnem levare” – aka “farewell to meat” – to refer to Fat Tuesday, the last day when eating meat, considered an elite food, was still allowed before the start of the detox phase.